Some of John's Notes

John Lang has put together some notes on the Whiskies we are tasting.


Descriptions of the 5 Single Malts by Jim Murray in his
Whisky Bible, 2008

1.) The Macallan Cask Strength $70.29
Earned a mark of 94% as follows-
Nose- 22 / 25- cranked-up, sweet, clean sherry.
Taste- 24 / 25- absolutely spot-on delivery, with grape concentrate, thickened by intense barley, wonderful spices arrive on cue.
Finish- 24 / 25- long, with the taste buds storm-lashed by juicy sherry and spices.
Balance- 24 / 25- it’s like surfing a massive wave of barley-sweetened sherry. Go for the ride. 58.6 % alcohol by volume.

2.) Strathisla 12 $46.29
Earned a mark of 87% as follows-
Nose- 21 / 25- a dab of distant peat adds more weight to what is already malt-heavy.
Taste- 22 / 25- pleasant, sultana-fruity with a very rich malt follow through.
Finish- 22 / 25- some oak breaks into the rich maltiness, hints of cocoa and smoke elongate the finish.
Balance- 22 / 25- the heavily weighted, full-bodied malt engages the taste buds from first to last, with a complexity and richness of genuine class.
43% alcohol by volume.

3.) Aberlour A’bunadh Cask Strength $85.29
Earned a mark of 88% as follows-
Nose- 22 / 25- thick oloroso sherry offset by the distant rumble of spice, raisins, cloves, oranges, ginger , like thunder in the air.
Taste- 23 / 25- almost immediately, the storm clouds break and spices rain down in torrents on the taste buds while the sherry continues the clean hot intensity of a summer storm.
Finish- 21 / 25- grape lingering with some late toffee apple, amazingly smooth, long, elegant, spicy and warming.

Balance- 22 / 25- a “monster” sherry whisky, a powerful malt to make mortals tremble, perfect for wine and sherry lovers, becomes more complex with water- hints of herbs, thyme, rosemary, sage, bay leaves.
59.8% alcohol by volume.


4.) Glenfiddich 15 Solera Reserve $54.49
Earned a mark of 93% as follows-
Nose- 24 / 25- a marriage of citrus notes (especially oranges), subtle spices and oak.
Taste- 23 / 25- Honey leads the way with balancing spices and oak, the malt is refreshing.
Finish – 23 / 25- medium to long, with soft sherry and gently building cocoa.

Balance- 23 / 25- one of Jim Murray’s regular drams, a brilliant Speyside malt of awesome complexity.
40 % alcohol by volume.

5.) Highland Park 18 $85.29
Earned a mark of 95% as follows-
Nose- 24 / 25- an empty honey jar which once held peaty embers, enormous nose of excellent consistency, with salty butter and burnt honeycomb always present.
Taste- 23 / 25- beautifully sweet, even sweeter than the 12 year old, thanks to manuka honey, balanced by drier oaky tones and rumbling peat at the back of the palate, chewy, a touch oily and wholly substantial.
Finish- 24 /25- some citrus, heathery notes, controlled oak, outstanding cocoa and peat, long and rewarding.

Balance- 24 / 25- consistently enormous weight and complexity, breathtakingly brilliant, the “ace” in the Highland Park pack.
43% alcohol by volume.

Third Annual Whisky Pairings Dinner

G'day folks,

The Organizing committee met and the date is close to being set for the now Annual Whisky Pairings Dinner. It looks like either May 1st or 15th.

John Lang is consulting with his experts and has an interesting selection of whiskys almost finalized and ready to order.

Gathering of the Scots Resident Chef Dirk Bishop is ready to prepare the food.

John and Dirk have already planned a meeting to taste the various whiskys and decide on the pairings.